MUMBAI: American direct-broadcast satellite service provider Dish Network and its over-the-top (OTT) service Sling TV have expanded their strategic relationship with Willow TV International for the Willow cricket channel.

Willow is available across South Asian packages on both Sling TV and Dish. New Sling TV viewers can try the service free for seven days. Dish is currently offering the Hindi Mega Pack, which includes Willow, at 50 per cent off for new subscribers.

The agreement brings some of the world’s most popular cricket matches and events, including International Cricket Council (ICC), India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and other top teams to cricket fans in the US, in high definition, as well as arrangements for coverage of live overlapping matches.

With Willow included in most major South Asian packages, Sling TV and Dish customers will have access to the most extensive cricket programming available in the U.S.

This agreement marks the first time that major ICC events, including the highly anticipated ICC World Twenty20 2016, which begins 8 March, will be provided at no additional charge on the Willow cricket channel. Previously, many of these events have only been available via pay-per-view.

“We are proud to have supported the launch of the Willow cricket channel in 2010, and by extending this longstanding relationship, we are not only bringing our customers the best in live cricket for years to come, we’re delivering on our commitment to make Sling TV and Dish ‘your home for cricket,” said Sling TV and Dish SVP programming Chris Kuelling. “With this agreement we are now able to bring US viewers the most comprehensive cricket offering in the market, all in high definition.”

“In just over five years since we launched Willow on Dish, we have expanded our coverage of live international cricket to unprecedented levels,” said Willow TV International CEO Vijay Srinivasan. “We are extremely pleased to further strengthen our partnership with Sling TV and DISH, and to announce the availability of the ICC World Twenty20 2016 and other ICC events on the Willow cricket channel for Sling TV and Dish viewers.”

Willow distributes a high definition linear television channel dedicated exclusively to cricket in the US, and provides television and digital production services to its global partners. Willow is an official broadcast partner of the ICC and several major international cricket boards and leagues.